Backgrounder: Victoria County organizations receive federal investment to strengthen and rebuild

March 6, 2024 · Englishtown, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Hurricane Fiona was an unprecedented storm that wreaked havoc along the Atlantic coast, causing damage to businesses, communities and non-profit organizations. The Government of Canada recognizes the need to rebuild and adapt to future weather events, and is investing $4,214,691 in non-repayable contributions through ACOA’s Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) program to three projects that will restore and upgrade infrastrcuture.

The projects receiving non-repayable contributions are:

Victoria Co-op Fisheries Limited (VCFL) is receiving $3,456,281 to repair damage caused by Hurricane Fiona. VCFL will replace the damaged walls of its cold storage facility, installing and expanding the new walls to better withstand future extreme weather events. VCFL will also repair its processing facility and processing equipment, as well as its staff bunkhouse which houses 12 employees. These repairs will allow VCFL to continue operations at full capacity. 

Victoria Co-op Fisheries Limited (VCFL) was established in 1955 and has expanded its facilities many times since then. Based in Neil’s Harbour, the co-op purchases, processes and ships lobster, snow crab, Jonah crab and halibut to Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The co-op currently has about 115 member harvesters and, in peak season, adds another 125 staff working in the co-op’s restaurant, on the wharves, processing and trucking.

Kelly Cove Heritage Society is receiving $472,075 to repair and replace a significant section of its wharf, which saw extensive damage during Hurricane Fiona. This will allow the marina and wharf to resume offering year-round mooring services and navigational aid to boaters.

Kelly Cove Heritage Society is a non-profit organization that operates the wharf at Kelly’s Cove in New Campbellton, ensuring it is properly maintained and funded. The historic wharf originally served as a loading pier for the local coal mines. Today, its marina and wharf are offered year-round to recreational and commercial boaters, serving as important community infrastructure and as a historical landmark. Additionally, a lighted beacon at the end of the wharf provides an important navigational aid to commercial ships.

The Municipality of the County of Victoria is receiving $286,335 to repair and improve 10 community facilities throughout the county that have been designated as climate comfort centres. By providing a space where people can feel supported and connected during times of uncertainty, climate comfort centres help communities recover more quickly once the crisis has passed. Upgrades include installing heat pumps, adding accessibility  features, and improving bathrooms and kitchens so residents have a well-equipped place to shelter, charge devices, use the internet and check in with family and friends after extreme weather events.

Climate comfort centres receiving a portion of the funding announced for Victoria County today are:

• Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre (Bay St. Lawrence)
• St. Andrews Parish Community Hall (Neils Harbour)
• North Shore & District Fire Hall (North Shore)
• South Haven Community Hall (South Haven)
• Knox Presbyterian Church Hall (Baddeck)
• Middle River Community Hall (Middle River)
• St. Columba Parish Center (Iona)
• Ross Ferry Fire Hall (Ross Ferry)
• Big Bras d’Or Community Hall (Big Bras d’Or)
• Englishtown Community Hall (Englishtown)